'One $3.90 batch can last up to six months': How Australians are saving hundreds by making their own washing powder with four ingredients
- Making your own washing powder couldn't be easier and comes with savings
- A recipe revealed by The Joyful Frugalista brings the cost down to just $3.90
- The only ingredients needed are washing soda, soap, bi-carb soda and oil
- The blogger, Serina Bird, said one batch of the powder lasts for up to six months
If you're keeping an eye on the family budget, you'll be on the lookout for clever ways to save, such as making your own washing powder.
To help, Serina Bird, the Australian blogger behind The Joyful Frugalista, has revealed her recipe for her DIY washing powder and a $3.90 batch lasts for six months.
Compared to a two-kilogram box of Omo, priced at $15, that's a saving of $11 - and the best part, the recipe for the laundry powder uses everyday ingredients.
'My recipe will leave your clothes feeling soft, smelling great, and in a good condition. It is also suitable to use for children and babies,' Ms Bird said.
A batch of Serina Bird's washing powder (pictured) whipped up in the food processor costs just $3.90 and it lasts for months
Finely grated pure soap is an essential component of the washing powder with Ms Bird recommending using a gadget known as a Moullinex to get the best results
She said to make a batch, which does require a little effort, first you'll need to grate a bar of pure soap (Coles offers a four-pack of pure soap for $2).
The easiest way to grate soap, that's not as time consuming as using a grater, is to cut it into small pieces and then use a handheld Moullinex.
A Moullinex is a type of hand-cranked grater that's generally used for pureeing vegetables.
Once this is done, combine everything in a food processor. You will need washing soda (lectric brand, $3.85 for one kg from Coles) bicarbonate of soda and eucalyptus or lavender oil.
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Two essential ingredients of the washing powder are Lectric Washing Powder (pictured left) and pure soap (pictured right)
The home-made washing powder is so potent, you only need one tablespoon per load (stock image)
Once reduced to a fine powder, store in an air-tight container. Ms Bird said you will only need a maximum of one tablespoon per washing load - depending on size and how dirty your clothes are.
'It does take a little bit of effort to make, but one batch will last me several months (sometimes up to six months, but then I have a small family to wash for),' she said.
It's not the first time savvy mums have revealed their recipes for making home-made washing detergents.
One mother recently took to a budgeting Facebook group to reveal how she had made her own washing liquid which cost her $1 in total.
One mum revealed how she had made her own washing liquid (pictured) using everyday ingredients for $1
Her method involved dissolving three-quarters of a cup of washing soda in two cups of boiling water.
Next, she added one cup of bicarbonate soda, then stirred to dissolve. Then she added half a bar of grated pure soap (or Lux flakes).
Lastly, she added another two litres of water and stirred. The mixture was left overnight to cool.
'Blitz with a stick blender and if you like add essential oils. Decanter into jars etc.'
The cheapest bottle of liquid laundry detergent for sale at Coles is a home-brand product which sells for $6.30.
